Dosing Brush With Segmented Bristle Density For Controlled Liquid Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional brushes lack precise control over the dosage of liquid applied, with liquid release depending heavily on user technique and often resulting in uneven distribution and economic/hygienic issues due to bristles being too close together.

Innovation Solution

A brush design with bristles arranged essentially parallel to each other, featuring a higher density outer bristle area and a lower density inner area with a bristle-free central volume, allowing liquid to form a controlled drop that is released upon contact with the surface, utilizing injection molding for precise bristle spacing and material selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If bristles are arranged very close together or in direct contact, then the brush can absorb more liquid, but the liquid settles between bristles and is not released again, causing hygiene and economic problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid absorption capacityVSAvoidliquid release reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bristle field is segmented into an outer bristle area with higher density and an inner bristle area with lower density. This segmentation creates functional zones: the outer area absorbs liquid while the inner area with spaced bristles allows liquid to form drops and be released controllably, preventing settlement between bristles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the brush have different bristle densities. The outer bristle area has higher density for absorption, while the inner bristle area has lower density for controlled release. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each zone for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If bristles are arranged very close together, then more liquid can be absorbed, but the liquid distribution becomes uneven and hygiene issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid absorption capacityVSAvoidliquid settlement and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brush is divided into functional segments with different bristle densities. The outer segment absorbs liquid while the inner segment with spaced bristles prevents settlement and allows controlled release, eliminating hygiene issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brush features local quality differentiation where the outer area has high bristle density for absorption and the inner area has low bristle density for preventing settlement and enabling controlled release, thus eliminating contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If bristles are arranged uniformly, then the brush structure is simple, but the liquid dosage cannot be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebristle arrangement structureVSAvoidliquid dosage control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The brush transitions from uniform bristle arrangement to non-uniform arrangement with distinct outer and inner bristle areas. This local quality differentiation enables precise liquid dosage control through the spaced inner bristles that form controlled drops, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through the systematic density variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the brush releases liquid continuously, then the application process is simple, but the dosage cannot be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication process simplicityVSAvoidliquid dosage precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The brush transitions from continuous liquid release to dynamic, on-demand release. The inner bristle area with spaced arrangement allows the brush to hold liquid and release it controllably upon contact with the surface, providing precise dosage while maintaining ease of use through automatic release mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise and controlled liquid dosing, with up to 85% of stored liquid released instantly upon surface contact, improving application efficiency and reducing waste and contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

the bristles develop a significant capillary effect. It can therefore absorb a considerable amount of the liquid to be applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary effect: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the liquid to be applied forms a single drop in the central area of the applicator due to its surface tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentEP2670278B1Dosing brush for targeted local application

Publication Date: 2018.06.13 GEKA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a brush for the dosed application of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquid, said brush being fitted with a number of bristles which extend at least substantially parallel to each other and which are grouped around a center of fitting (7). The bristles are injection-molded onto a bristle support (1), the fitting having an outer fitting region (3) enclosing the center of fitting in the peripheral direction, in which region the bristle density is higher than in the inner fitting region (4) enclosed by the outer fitting region (3) and/or the bristles of which are finer than the bristles in the inner fitting region (4).